Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

Various reports said Oregon coach Chip Kelly was deciding Sunday between going to the Eagles and staying at Oregon, as the Birds' braintrust flew to Denver to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

Those reports said the Cleveland Browns' brass has flown home from the Kelly courtship in Arizona, ready to renew its search without the Oregon coach. Of course, those reports might be no more accurate than the late Friday-early Saturday reports that had Kelly wrapping up the details of a deal with the Browns.

The Eagles jumped into the Kelly sweepstakes big time Saturday with a luncheon meeting in Arizona that lasted until after midnight, but just like the marathon session with the Browns on Friday, it ended without an agreement.

Poll

Who will have a better team in 2013?

Andy Reid with the Chiefs

Doug Marrone with the Bills

Before Thursday night's Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State, Oregon seemed to anticipate Kelly's departure, to the extent that it was reported offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich would succeed him. But given the deep pockets of Oregon's top alum, Nike's Phil Knight, it could be that Kelly decides to stay with the Ducks for a big pay raise. He has never spoken of any sort of hunger for the NFL, where he has never worked. last year, Kelly reportedly agreed to coach the Tampa Bay Bucs, then changed his mind hours later.

The only bit of clarity to emerge on the Eagles' search was that one of their interviewees, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, has signed on to coach the Buffalo Bills. Colts interim coach/offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley remain to be interviewed fiollowing their teams' Sunday playoff games. Arians is in the hospital in Baltimore Sunday, battling an inner ear infection.

The Eagles also have asked permission to talk to Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, but that premission has not yet been granted.